As we flew into St. Thomas Airport in late May to start a week-long yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), I was apprehensive but excited. The BVIs are one of my favorite places, and this would be my fifth yacht charter in the area. I had been following the stories of devastation from Read More
Bonding on the Boat
We were surrounded. On our left, a fishing boat protruded from the dock. From the right, a strong gust of wind shook the American flag on the fly bridge. Tall wooden pilings formed boundaries on either side. Our slip at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo, NC, was narrow and complicated. Using the bow thruster, my Read More
Abacos: The Best of the Bahamas
Starting Point Old Bahama Bay Located in West End, Grand Bahama Island, Old Bahama Bay Marina is only 56 miles from Palm Beach, FL. The facility is a full-service marina destination with 72-slips and a controlling depth of 8 feet at mean low tide and 24-hour security. Old Bahama Bay offers quick and efficient on-site Read More
Emily and Grace Go Sailing: From Detroit, Michigan to George Town, Bahamas
“DAY 226, approximately. We’re anchored at Crab Cay, just off of the Sea of Abaco. We went swimming under the stars last night, so we’re a little tired today.” That is how Grace and I began today’s video. Every few days we try to record a short clip about our adventures, stating where we are, Read More
Cruising the Great Loop: Chicago, Illinois to Mobile, Alabama
This segment of the Great Loop is a trip through America’s heartland of more than 1,000 miles on the inland rivers. Chicago is the last big city you see until you reach the Gulf of Mexico. Many areas are rather remote, and all but very fast boats will likely have to spend a few nights Read More
Just a Girl, Her Dog and a Boat Cruising Down the East Coast from Manhattan, N.Y. to Vero Beach, Fla.
Why would a single female set off with her dog down the East Coast, all the way from Manhattan N.Y. to Vero Beach Fla.? Simply put: a passion for sailing, a sense of adventure and a disdain for cold New York winters. I started boating by crewing on race boats in New York and the Read More
Chartering Norway’s Fjords
Photos courtesy of Greg Burke (theluxuryvacationguide.com) Norway’s fjords are carved into legend. Steep mountains dive deep into crystal-clear glacial green waters, waterfalls plummet from snowcapped summits even in summer, when days are eternal — often 23 hours of light. The best way to experience Norway’s fjords is by water. You can board a ferry or Read More
Boating on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes, and the only Great Lake located entirely in the United States. Lake Michigan’s name is derived from the Ojibwa tribe word mishigami, which means “large lake.” The French entrepreneur and woodsman Jean Nicolet was the first European to explore Lake Michigan in 1634. Since that Read More
The Trifecta in the Maldives
Kia Koropp, along with her husband John, and two children Braca, 6 and Ayla, 4, began cruising around the world on their 50-foot sailboat, Atea, in 2011. This is an excerpt from their adventures in the Maldives, an island chain located in South Asia on the Indian Ocean. After two months exploring the glorious Maldives, Read More
Cruising the Islands of The Bahamas
Vacationing to foreign countries is exciting, but traveling to another country aboard your own boat is an adventure and accomplishment beyond compare. Fortunately for boaters in the U.S. and Canada, the Bahamas gives us a beautiful island country we can easily visit with a little careful planning. The Bahamas is one of the largest island Read More